Dolphins Bring in the Money

A thousand plastic dolphins with their squeakers glued shut were dumped off the Redondo pier this afternoon during an annual ritual designed to raise coin for the city's libraries.

This year's Dolphin Dash, the fifth installment, raised monies for the new north branch library scheduled to open late next month. The Redondo Beach Library Foundation promised the city it will raise $1.2 million dollars for the reconstructed north branch library at Artesia Boulevard and Green Lane. So far, about $800,000 has been raised, library foundation board members said.

Businesses and individuals sponsored the dolphins, with businesses paying $200 to sponsor each gold dolphin, and individuals sponsoring dolphins for $10 each. Not every dolphin in this year's event was sponsored. 

After they were released into the ocean, volunteers waited for the little dolphins to float ashore and kept track of which ones were the first. Volunteer rinse the dolphins off once the Dolphin Dash has concluded.  

Barry Brennan, a library foundation board member, said the event is a great way to involve the community, especially children. The dolphin is used because it's the symbol of the city, Brennan said.

The foundation plans to hold a VIP "Sneak Peek" fundraiser for the north branch Sept. 23, a few days before the north branch officially opens to the public on Sept. 28. The unofficially named "Sneak Peek" fundraiser will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., with tickets selling for $100 per person.

"It's a very unique thing to have the community step up and build a public library like this," said Rick Smith, a library foundation board member. 

Please view the accompanying photo essay of the event.